The questions and the comparisons are never too far away. With sports that rarely cross paths, the debates get bigger still. There is a lesser chance of finding Michael Phelps holding a bat than of finding Tendulkar in the same pool as Phelps. Can sportsmen be compared and if they can, who’s winning?
Usain Bolt cut a terrific personality. But the shenanigans were loud. While he may have set a world record and in stylish fashion, critics here in India were quick to tap him for not concentrating on the finish and for perhaps wasting a precious second or two as he seemed to cheer on the rest as he approached the finish line. That the man has achieved greatness was beyond the point. The discussion was how if he had put in that extra mile, he could have held on the record for a little while longer!
How self-conceited can these men (and women) be! To not stand and applaud a winner is bad enough. But to criticize him for showing more of life is preposterous! And all for wondering how long can he hold onto a record? Can this mindset be given a rest!
It is precisely this kind of things that made Brian Lara’s record more important than focusing on the team’s chances for victory. And it is this kind of thinking that allows men in high positions to prolong one’s man career while shunning others of the same performance merit. And it is this kind of thinking of self-preservation and personal glory that has not allowed a team of eleven talented individuals to bring more victories for India, despite the plethora of resources at their feet (or perhaps, at their beck and call!).
Everyone’s basking in Abhinav Bindra’s glory. But not one eye is cast on why (and even where) the rest of the shooters are or why they are missing the mark. India has missed the mark. Understanding glory that comes at a price and individual glory that comes in a team effort is something that until the nation a develops an awareness for will only stand proud when the flag is raised, will celebrate one day when the players are paraded and forget to receive them with a consoling arm when they come back home.
Michael Phelps has been the inspiration of the century, perhaps. This man overcame great odds to stand. To defy the world and its morose telling of his future, he has vindicated that there is something to be said for ‘it can be done’. That those four words are not hollow! They hold greatness for the men who wish to reach.
Is Sachin a great individual talent or a better team player? That is a question that is often drawn especially when his big knocks come in match losing affairs. But it is perhaps answered best by those in the dressing room who can turn it on with his inspiration. This debate will be lost in a world where only ten nations, eight really, who can stake any claim to a decent cricket history. Everyone talks of the individual and it seems hard to digest it in a team sport. Is our focus flawed? Or has it been tampered with, just like the sight position of his equipment as Abhinav claimed?
Comparisons are illogical but the make up of the man tells a picture. It is a sight that one would want to see more of in the dressing room, a spirit that imbibes and pervades the entire dressing room. The questions about who is a more inspirational captain is rarely laid to rest. Some men found the crown too weighty to bear but seem quite comfortable to cheer in an unofficial capacity. Put the crown on their head and it becomes a wreath of thorns! Men who are exceptionally talented are not always the best of leaders just as those with a wealth of knowledge are not necessarily adept at being able to impart it.
While the world goes gaga over Phelps, the man is content to be one amongst the team in a relay as he is comfortable doing it for himself. His celebrations do not make him a standout when there are four on the podium. He is happy to share the limelight and somehow seems to value each member that made it possible for the other to be on that pedestal. Unlike some who would perhaps rest on their laurels after the individual victory, Phelps has shown focus to do it for the team even if it has meant a more grueling schedule for eight golds in barely ten days!
Even in team victory, there is a place of individual glory. And this goes for the coaching, support, and management staff as well.
The day team sport in India understands that, the accolades will come on their own.
One had only to see the way Phelps cheered on his team mate in a race he was not even a part of. The exultation afterwards was a muscle clenching roar, one that even he has perhaps not rendered loud enough at his own victory.300065